Photocomposing machine



A. T. KOPPE raotocouros me MACHINE Oct. 3, 1939.

14 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1936 INVENTO EJppe A Zexazzder T 0M, 610 1 ATTORN YS Oct. 3, 1939. A. 'r. KOPPE 2,174,726

PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1936- 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 rm M 94 6 H, Mi f W, fa- M ATTORNEYS Alexander T150 3; 4 ,7 6 i .6 z 2 m Z 5!; Z 2

9 2 MM 2 a mg 0 M B WEE 1 5 M 1 ii; M 5. 1 f; .T 1 :5 ijzzi n o m I i f. 74 1155 q, f l x M N 8 .0 vm F M B/ m. W M 6 Q & L 0H my AM m w u 7 7 1 5 g m a M 9 95 H x3 5 v a Z u m 1 a x A i k m. m 5 x a Oct. 3, 1939. A. 'r. KOPPE PHbTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1936 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 m W I EN @Q :6 .Q 3Q Q w M LI MNN .QN www www Oct. 3, 1939. A. 'r. KOPPE 2,174,726

PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1936 14 Sheets$heet 5 m g m y R I Y 8N 1W m A V T mmN m a; mum an MAW m E V r v @w w x8 Mum u Oct. 3, 1939. A. T. KOPPE PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE l4 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 6, 1956 m Mm g mm Q H m o N N E r M N m l w Q Mm, m & mm 1% 7 Q 3 A as a m @w a E s.& mm QNH m6 1 mg my wk UWMLP a 3 uww Q www N Z 8. av m k m fl. Q Q m 5% um Q &w M Q HQ Get. 3, 1939. A. 'r. KOPPE PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1936 14 Shets-Sheet 1 ope A. T. KOPPE PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1936 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 AZam/zde'r T ype BY 0W4, My M ATTO R N YS Oct. 3 1939. A. T. KOPPE 2,174,726

PHOTOCOMFOSIN G MACHINE I Filed Feb. 6, 1936 14 She'ets-Sheet 1O INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Oct. 3, 1939. A. T. KOPPE PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE l4 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Feb. 6, 1956 Oct. 3, 1939. A. T. KOPPE PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1936 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 e M Rm w OK 1.5 T m mT M 0 M v |1M Oct. 3, 1939. A. T. KOPPE PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Shee t 13 Filed Feb. 6, 1936 INVENTOR Algander 7715 ATTORN Oct. 3, 1939. A. T. KOPPE 2,174,725

PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6; 1956 14 Sheets-Sheet l4 v I 1 lur 5 Y W I VIHIIWWW U Mm 0 0 N1 INVENTOR Alexander T [0 0,06

BY M 61-4, $1604 ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 3, 1939 PHOTOCOMPOSING MACHINE Alexander T. Koppe, Hasbrouck Heights, N. J., assignor to General Printing Ink Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application February 6, 1936, Serial No. 62,588

10 Claims. (01. 95-76) My invention relates to improvements in photocomposing machines.

My invention has particular reference to a novel arrangement for sealing an area or zone of a sensitized surface so as to produce a vacuum chamber within which a suitable printing member is enclosed.

My invention has further reference to various features of a photo-composing machine such, for example, as a novel control system for effecting movement of a backboard in a desired manner, an efllcient mechanical arrangement for imparting positioning movements to a supporting frame for a printing plate holder, etc.

Various other objects, advantages and characteristics of my invention will become apparent from the following description.

My invention resides in the photo-composing machines, features, combinations and arrangements of the char: cter hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of one of the many forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of my novel photo-composing machine as viewed from the front;

Fig. 2 is a transverse, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation and with parts omitted, taken substantially centrally of the machine shown in Fig.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view, with parts omitted and partly in elevation, this view being taken on the upper part of the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3b is an enlarged, vertical sectional view, with parts omitted and partly in elevation, this view being taken on the lower part of the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, Figs. 3 and 3b being combinable on the line A--A;

Fig. 3a is an enlarged, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing a modified arrangement for holding the printingplate in printing position;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan and with parts omitted, this view being taken centrally of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view, with parts omitted and partly in plan, this view being taken on the left of the line 55 of Fig. 1 looking in-the direction of the arrows;

I Fig. 5b is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view, with parts omitted and partly in plan, this view being taken on the right of the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 looking in'the direction of the arrows, Figs. 5 and 5b being combinable on the line B-B;

Fig. 5a is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, showing the same modified arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 3a

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view showing a detail of my novel sealing arrangement; 0

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view, 1 partly in plan and with parts omitted, of the right side of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view, partly in plan and with parts omitted, of the left side of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, elevational view showing a part of the-rear of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, and is taken on the line I0-I0 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, and is taken on the line II-ll of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, and is taken on the line I2-|2 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing a part of the adjusting apparatus;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view, taken substantially on the line l4-I4 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 15 is aside elevational view corresponding with Fig. 14 but showing the parts in different positions, respectively;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line l6|6 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 16a is a fragmentary plan view of a part of the arrangement shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 17 is an elevational view, with parts omitted showing the rear of my novel photo-composing machine;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the shifting mechanism for shifting the backboard toward and from printing position;

Fig. 18a is a perspective view corresponding with Fig. 18 but showing a different position of some of the parts;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged, elevational view showing an adapter frame;

Fig. 20 is a transverse vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, and is taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a hollow base I which is adapted to occupy a fixed position on a floor or other suitable supporting surface. As illustrated, the base i comprises oppositely extending wing sections la, la, these being utilizable in the manner hereinafter described. Upstanding from said base i are a pair of standards 2, 211, these standards being vertically disposed in parallel relation and suitably secured to the base i, as by the bolts'il. Suitably fastened in fixed position to the top surfaces of the standards 2, 2a is a horizontal bar 5 formed from non-flexible metallic material. This bar 4 extends equal distances beyond each of the standards 2, 2a and each projecting section of said bar 4 has an angle member 5 suitably secured thereto. As clearly shown in Fig. l, a vertical wing member 6 is suitably secured, as by screws or bolts, to each angle member 5, to the adjacent base wing section Ia which is disposed therebelow, and to the adjacent standard 2 or 2a as the case may be. It results, therefore, with an arrangement of the character described, that the wings 6 are vertically disposed in the same vertical plane and that they form fixed extensions of the base i. Preferably although not necessarily, each of the wings 6 is formed from a sheet of wood which is covered by suitable sheet metal shaped to form smooth, fiat inner and outer surfaces.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, each of the standards 2, 2a has a vertical track member '8 suitably secured thereto in fixed position, the top surfaces of said track members i being connected together by a transversely, horizontal member 8. The track members I are disposed in the same vertical plane, this plane being parallel with respect to the plane of the wings 6 and closely adjacent thereto.

Vertically disposed immediately adjacent each of the track members i is a jack screw 9, these jack screws being rotatably mounted in upper and lower bearings 9a formed in projecting sections of the respective standards 2, 2a.

Coactable with each of the jack screws d is a travelling nut 10, each nut iii carrying a bracket arm Ii, Fig. 2, the bracket arms II being secured in suitable manner to the respective slide members H! which slidably engage the track members "i, respectively, Fig. 5, the hereinafter described frame F also coacting with said track members 7 in a guiding sense. As well understood in the art, the slide members I2 coact with their respective track members to prevent horizontal play while providing for the desired freedom of movement between coacting parts. Each of the slide members I2, then, is positioned adjacent one of the jack screws 9 and said slide members I2 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the opposite vertical sides, respectively, of a supporting frame F having a rectangular openmg.

This s'upporting frame F is adapted to move either upwardly or downwardly in the space between the two track members i. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, upper and lower curtains I3 and I4 are connected to the respective upper and a verse lower sides of the supporting frame F. The upper curtain i3 is wound upon a horizontal roller i5 supported by end brackets i5 carried by and depending from the bar l, Fig. 2, these end brackets also supporting a horizontal idler roller ll utilizable for guiding said upper curtain 83. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a cover member iii is secured to the bar t, this member being utilizable for partially enclosing the roller i5 and associated parts. The lower curtain it is wound upon a horizontal roller l9 supported by end brackets 20 suitably held in fixed position interiorly of the base i. The end brackets 28 also support a horizontal idler roller 2! cooperative with the lower curtain I4 as shown in Fig. 2. Disposed above the roller i9 and suitably held in fixed position is a light shield Zia which extends transversely across the base i for the purpose of preventing the passage of light into engagement with the hereinafter described lightsensitive surface.

In order that the jack screws 9 may be rotated at exactly the same speed and in the same direction, I have provided, in accordance with the invention, a combined motor-manual control arrangement of novel character as hereinafter described.

Thus, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the front horizontal surface lb of the base I carries bearings for and supports a plurality of spaced vertical stub shafts Z5, 26, 21, 28, 29 and 30, these shafts depending into the hollow interior of the base I and having secured thereto the respective pinions 25a, 26a, 21a, 28a, 29a. and 30a. Further, as shown, the lower end of each jack screw 9, interiorly of said base I, has a pinion 9a secured thereto. All of the pinions just referred to 'are duplicates of each other and, as illustrated, the arrangement is such that the pinion 21a meshes with the pinion 26a, which meshes with the pinion 25a, the latter, in turn, meshing with the jack screw pinion 90. at the left, Fig. 4. Similarly, the pinion 28a meshes with the pinion 29a which meshes with the pinion 30a, the latter, in turn, meshing with the jack screw pinion Q'a at the right, Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 2, the front vertical wall of the base i is shown as supporting a bracket M which carries a lower bearing 3Ia for a vertical shaft 32 having an upper bearing at the aforesaid surface lb, the shaft 32 being spaced substantially equi-distantly from the above noted stub shafts 21 and 23. The shaft 32, interiorly of the hollow base i carries a pinion 32a which is a duplicate of the various pinions 26a, 210., etc., said pinion 32a meshing with the aforesaid pinions 21a, 28a as shown in Fig. 4. The shaft 32 extends above the aforesaid horizontal surface ib and carries a circular micrometer disk 33 cooperative with a fixed pointer member 34, Fig. 4..

The lower end of the shaft 32 carries a Worm wheel 35, Fig. 4, with which meshes a worm 36 secured to a horizontal shaft 31 suitably supported in a bearing formed by the aforesaid bracket 3i and in other bearings as hereinafter described.

One end of this shaft 31 extends beyond the base I and carries a pulley 38 which is driven by an endless belt 39 driven, in turn, by a pulley 40 carried by the armature shaft of an electric motor M. The other end of said shaft 31 terminates interiorly of the hollow base I and carries a gear 4| which meshes with a gear 42 carried by a suitably supported shaft 43-, Fig. 4. Disposed in a bearing formed in the horizontal surface lb is a shaft which carries an operating hand wheel 44, this shaft last named. being operatively connected to the aforesaid shaft 43 by an endless chain 45, or equivalent.

It is highly desirable, in accordance with the invention, that backlash and lost motion be largely or entirely eliminated from the gear trains between the pinion 32a and the respective pinlons 9a of the jack screws 9. To this end, as shown, the pinions a, 21a, 28a and 30a may be constructed as illustrated in Figs. 16 and 16a in connection with the pinion 28a. That is, each of said pinions, at the periphery thereof, may be provided with a peripheral, circular recess 46 in which is received a gear ring 41 having elongated, arcuate slots 48 alined with the respective threaded passages 49 formed in said pinion 28a. Extending through each slot 48 and threaded into the adjacent passage 49 is a screw 50. As will be understood, the teeth of the gear ring 41 and those of the pinion 28a correspond with each other.

. With the parts positioned as shown in Fig. 4, it will be understood that the four screws 50 may be loosened whereupon the gear ring 41 may be moved to slight extent on and circumferentially of the pinion 28a. By so doing, lost motion is eliminated between the pinions 29a, 32a and the connecting pinion 28a (including its gear ring 41). Then, by tightening said screws 50', the gear ring 41 is clamped in its adjusted position to the pinion 23a. The gear teeth of said pinion 28a and the gear ring 41, after adjustment of the latter has been effected, are related as shown by the full and broken lines in Fig. 16a and, because thus related, backlash and lost motion between the pinions 29a, 32a and the interconnecting pinion 28a are substantially entirely eliminated.

As will readily be understood, corresponding adjustments effected on the gear rings 41 of the respective pinions 25a, 21a and 30a results in the elimination of backlash and lost motion between the pinion 32a and the two jack screw pinions So. It results, therefore, that the position of the disk 33 necessarily reflects with extreme accuracy the position of and all adjustments which are imparted to the jack screws 9.

As shown in Fig. 2, the upper bearing for the aforesaid shaft 32 is constituted by a member 5i having elongated slots through which extend the respective bolts 52 securing said member 5i to the base surface lb. In generally the same manner, the bolts 53 which secure the lower bearing 3Ia of the shaft 32 to the bracket 3| extend through elongated slots as shown. By virtue of this adjustable arrangement, it follows that the bolts 52 and 53 may be loosened so as to permit the shaft 32 and its pinion 32a to have a limited degree of movement. Accordingly, the pinion 32a may readily take such a position that it is in proper meshing relation with respect to the pinions 21a and 28a after they have been set as described above in order to avoid backlash.

After the pinion 32a has been positioned as described immediately above and then locked in position by tightening of the bolts 52 and 53, it may be that the worm 36 is not in proper meshing relation with the worm wheel 35the latter necessarily moves with the shaft 32 and pinion 320. during the adjusting movements imparted to the pinion 32a. In order to care for this condition, if it should occur, I provide a compensating arrangement of the following character.

As shown in Fig. 4, the bearing 55 for one end of the shaft 31 is secured to the base I by bolts 55 which extend through elongated slots provided, respectively, therefor in said bearing 55. The other end of said shaft 31 is supported in a bearing arrangement 51 having a plurality of elongated slots through which extend the respective bolts 58 securing said bearing arrangement 51 to its supporting structure. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, the bracket 3| is secured to the base i by bolts 59.

After the pinion 32a has been so adjusted as to be in proper meshing relation with the pinions 21a and 28a as described above, the various bolts 55, 58 and 58 may be loosened whereupon the shaft 31 may be moved from left to right, Fig. 2, to thereby cause the two gear wheels 36 and 35 to assume a proper meshing relation. At this time, a flat shim 3-Ib may be placed between the base of the bracket 3! and the adjacent surface of the base I and, then, said bolts 56, 58 and 59 may be tightened to positively maintain the gear wheel 36 in the position to which adjusted.

As shown in Fig. 4, one of the stub shafts for the pinions 25a, 26a, etc. such, for example, as the shaft 25 may have connected thereto a gear 59a which meshes with and drives another gear 59b secured to a shaft 590 utilizable for operating suitable mechanism 59d for counting and indicating the revolutions imparted to the shaft 25.

The aforesaid base i and its wing sections la, la form a supporting structure to which a fixed track member 60 is secured in suitable manner, as by the bolts 6i, Fig. 2. Supported by this track member 60, through the anti-friction rollers 62, is a carriage 63, Fig. 2, the length of which is somewhat less than that of the track member 60. Secured to and upstanding from each end of the carriage 63 is a bracket member 64, each of which supports a standard 65, the height of these standards being substantially the same as the combined height of the aforesaid base i and wing sections 6, and said standards 65, at the top thereof, being connected together by a horizontal member 66. These standards 65 and their horizontal connecting member 66 form a structure which extends vertically in spaced relation with respect to the adjacent wing sections 6. For guiding and steadying purposes, it is desir able that a plurality of horizontal members 61 be secured to the connecting member 66, these members 61 slidably gripping the above described bar 4 to which the wing sections Bare secured.

In the form of the invention herein illustrated, the track member 60 extends to the right, when the machine is positioned as in Fig. 1, and the end of said track member at the right has an upstanding standard 68 secured thereto, this standard, as shown in Fig. 7, supporting a housing 59 forming end bearings for a drive shaft 10 and a screw shaft ll. Rotatable with these shafts Ill and Ii and disposed within the housing 69 are the respective gears 12 and 13 which are disposed in meshing relation, the gear 13 comprising a ring 1 3a corresponding with and operating the same as the ring gear 41 for removing backlash.

The screw shaft 'ii extends from right toleft, Fig. 7 horizontally above the carriage 63 and is disposed in a passage in that bracket 64 at the right of the machine, when viewed from the front, said passage being larger than the screw shaft 1i and free from threads. At its end remote from the housing 69, the screw shaft H has a rotatable bearing in a bracket 14 fixed to the upper surface of a section id of the base i, Fig. 2.

iii

For purposes of accurate adjustment, it is desir-- able that the carriage 03 support another bracket, "I5 which supports a pair of internally threaded nut devices It through which the screw shaft ii extends and to which said shaft is threaded, these nut devices 10, as well understood in the photocomposing machine art, coacting with said screw shaft to prevent whip and backlash.

The drive shaft 10 extends from right to left, Fig. 7, and has bearing engagement with surfaces of the adjacent base wing section la. Said shaft I0, at its end remote from the housing 69, terminates in a spiral gear 16a which meshes with a spiral gear 10b carried by one end of a shaft 160 mounted in bearings formed in a bracket secured to the interior surface of said last named wing section la. The other end of the shaft 160 carries a spiral gear 16c which meshes with a spiral gear Iiij secured at one end of a stub shaft 'I'l mounted in a bearing in the aforesaid wing section Ia. By the use of take-up means 16h, Fig. 7, coactable with their engaging spiral gears 16a and 16f, backlash is removed from the gear connection between the shafts I1 and I0.

Immediately adjacent the exterior surface of the wing section last named, Fig. 13, the stub shaft H has secured thereto a pulley I8 with which coacts an endless belt 19 disposed in driving relation on a second pulley 80, Fig. '7, secured to the armature shaft of an electric motor MI suitably secured to said wing section Ia.

The pulley and belt mechanism just described is disposedlinteriorly of a fixed housing 8| which supports, as shown in Fig. 13, an axle 82 on which a gear wheel 83 is rotatably mounted, this gear wheel 83 meshing with a driving gear wheel 84 mounted on and drivenby the stub shaft 11, and said gear wheel 83 also meshing with a driven gear wheel 85 fixed to a shaft 80 which operates suitable counter mechanism 81 mounted on said housing 8i. As shown, the gear wheels 83, 8d and.85 are mounted on a housing 88 suitably supported, as by the aforesaid axle 82.

Disposed at the free end of the shaft 11 is a housing 89 which encloses a pulley 90 secured to and rotatable with said shaft ll. Engaging the pulley 00 is an endless belt SI which also engages another pulley 92 secured to a shaft 93 rotatable in bearings in said housing 89, the shaft 93 having secured thereto arr-operating hand wheel 94 which is mounted exteriorly of -the aforesaid housing 823. Secured directly to and rotatable with the shaft "if is a micrometer wheel 05, the latter being disposed between the two housings 88 and 80.

In the form of the invention herein shown, a pivoted backboard 1B is utilized for the reception of the press plate, sensitized member or lightsensitive surface 'or member. This backboard B is positioned between the standards 65, 65, and, as hereinafter described, is adapted to occupy either a vertical or horizontal position.

As herein illustrated, the backboard B comprises a rectangular frame formed from vertical side members I00, I00 and the horizontal top and bottom members IOI, IOI, said frame being braced in any suitable manner, as by the vertical members I02, the horizontal members I03 and the diagonal members I04, the latter being suitably arranged to prevent warping of the backboard structure. As shown, the free end of the backboard B may carry supporting legs I05 each of which may terminate in a roller I06. Further, the rear surface of the backboard B preferably awarae carries a handle member E0! utilizable for lowering and raising said backboard. Still further, 1

said rear surface of the backboard B carries a lever i053 having an actuating handle I00a. said lever being pivoted at I09. Pivoted to opposite ends of the lever E00 are the respective links H0, each of which terminates in a rod III guided for horizontal movement by a bracket H2.

Suitably secured to the rear surface of the backboard B and at the respective opposite sides thereof are the brackets II3, Fig. 10, which extend at right angles to the operative surface of said backboard B and each of which terminates in a lateral section Il3a, each lateral section II3, if desired, having a bolt, not shown, adjustably threaded therethrough. Each bracket H3 is formed with a transverse passage II3b, these passages being alined with the respective passages of the aforesaid brackets II2. It follows, therefore, that each rod III is readily slidable in the passage through its associated bracket H2 and the passage 1 I317 in the adjacent bracket I I2.

As shown in Fig. 2, the aforesaid frame of the backboard B has a supporting structure II6 secured thereto in suitable manner, this supporting structure being formed from fibre or other suitable material and supporting an outer surface Ill formed from hard rubber, or equivalent, to which the light-sensitive member is secured in the manner hereinafter described.

Secured in horizontal alinement to the bottom frame member IOI of the backboard B are a plurality of brackets II8. As shown in Fig. 1'7, the two brackets at the left of the backboard B support a horizontally disposed axle member II8, the two brackets at the right of said backboard B support a horizontal axle member I20, and the three brackets centrally of said backboard support a horizontal axle member I2I.

As clearly appears, the outer respective ends of theaxle members H9 and I20 are received in passages formed, respectively, in vertically disposed members I22, the outer end of each axle member H0 and H0 preferably having a locking nut I23 threaded thereto. For purposes of ready alinement, it is desirable that the aforesaid passages in the members I22 be formed substantially larger than the ends of the axle members I53, I20 and that blocks I24 be suitably secured to the respective lower ends of said members 522, each of these blocks having a passage which snugly receives the end of the adjacent axle member H0 or 920 and said blocks being adjustable on the lower ends of said members H22 so that the respective passages thereof may accurately be alined with the axle members H9, 029, respectively.

As shown in Fig. 9, the carriage 63 supports an upwardly-extending bracket I25 having a flat upper surface upon which rests a collar I26 secured to the axle member I2I. Accordingly, as will be understood, the bracket I25 serves as a support for the backboard B through the instrumentality of the axle member I2I and associated parts.

As illustrated in Fig. 9, the axle member H9 supports a spiral spring I21, one end I2Ia of which engages the rear surface of the backboard B and the other end ll") of which is secured to 9. lug I28 having a slotted outer end in which is secured the upper end of a lever I20 pivoted at I30 to a. bracket I3I supported by the carriage 63.

As herein disclosed, the axle member I20 supports a similar spiral spring arrangement and the axle member I2I supports a pair of said spiral spring arrangements.

When the backboard B is in its vertical position, the aforesaid spiral springs I21 are unwound or substantially so. However, when said backboard is manually lowered toward and to its horizontal position, these springs I21 are automatically wound or energized. Therefore, as will readily be understood, said springs I21 serve to counterbalance and cushion movement of said backboard B.

As hereinafter described, the backboard B is adapted to be moved either toward or from the hereinbefore described supporting frame F. To this end, each of the standards 65 supports an adjusting mechanism utilizable for moving the backboard B to and fro as just stated.

In accordance with this phase of the invention, the standard 65 at the left of the machine as viewed when facing the front thereof has upper and lower blocks I32 and I33 fixed thereto, these blocks supporting aflxed member I34. Suitably secured, as by the bolts I35, to the fixed member I34 are the upper and lower key members I36 each being cut away as indicated at I36a and the cut-away sections being disposed in vertical alinement so as to receive the aforesaid vertical member I22 which is adapted to be moved, while held vertical, toward or from the aforesaid supporting frame F. Slidable horizontally on each key I36 is a block I38, these blocks being secured to said member I 22 by the bolts I31. Above the upper block I38, the vertical member I22 has a member I39 secured thereto by the bolts I40, this member I39 carrying a lateral socketmember I adapted, when the backboard B is in vertical position, to be in alinement with the path of movement of the aforesaid rod III.

Pivoted at I42 to the fixed member I34, ad-

, jacent the lower end thereof, is a lever I43 having its outer end connected by a pivot pin I44 to a strap member I45, one end of the pivot pin I44 being operatively related to an elongated slot I22a formed in the lower end of the aforesaid vertical member I22. The strap member I45 extends in a vertical direction and is dis posed flatwise against the vertical member I22. Atits upper end, said strap member I45 carries a pivot pin I46 on which a lever I41 is loosely supported, the latter being pivoted to the fixed member I34 by a pivot pin I48, and the pin I46 being operatively related to an elongated slot I22b formed in the upper end of the vertical member I22.

Connected to the lever I43 is an adjustable link arrangement I49 adapted to partake of pivotal movement, this link arrangement being connected to an arm I50 oscillatable with a horizontal shaft I5I mounted in bearings I52 supported by the aforesaid carriage 63.

As stated above, each of the standards 65 supports an adjusting mechanism for shifting the backboard B in the manner described. Inasmuch as the adjusting mechanism for the other standard 65 is a duplicate of the one just described, this description will not be repeated and, on the drawings, duplicate reference characters will be used for the designation of corresponding parts.

Accordingly, in view of the description given above, it will be understood that the shaft I5I carries two arms I50 which, through the described mechanisms, impart to and fro movement to the backboard B. For imparting rotatable movement to this shaft I5I, there may be utilized an arrangement of the character shown in Figs. 8, 14 and 15 wherein the shaft I5I is shown as can; ng a disk I53 which cooperates with a second disk I54 of generally similar configuration, the disk I 54 being mounted on a shaft which extends from a box I55 containing suitable gear reduction mechanism, power to which is delivered by a shaft I55a carrying a pulley I56 engaged by an endless belt I51 driven by a second pulley I58 mounted on the armature shaft of a suitable electrical motor M2 mounted in suitable manner on an extension of the carriage 63.

As illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, the disks I53, I54 are provided, respectively, with gear segments I53a, I 56a whereby power is transmitted from the disk I54 to the disk I53.

In accordance with the invention, it is desirable that suitable shock-absorbing mechanism be provided for cushioning the impact transmitted from the disk I54 to the disk I53 when power is applied to said disk I54. A preferred form of such shock-absorbing mechanism is shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

Thus, on supports I59, I60 extending laterallyfrom the disk I53 are mounted the respective levers I6I, I62 which are engaged, respectively, by springs I63, I64, each spring seating against a member I65 fixed to the disk I53 and each spring normally holding its associated lever in engagement with a stop I66. These springs are relatively "heavy so that each of them absorbs a large amount of the instantaneous power of the .motor M2 at the instant that a driving connection is established between the disks I54 and I53. The

disk I54 is mounted on a shaft I61 which extends actuating lug I69 carried thereby and projecting therefrom.

With the various parts positioned as shown in Fig. 14, the backboard B is in its advanced position toward the printing plate. If it becomes desirable to move said backboard toward the rear of the machine, the motor M2 is energized in the manner hereinafter described to cause the disk I 54 and its actuating lug I69 to move in a clockwise direction, Fig. 14, from the full line representation of the parts.

As the two disks I53 and I 54 are positioned in Fig. 14, a curved sector I53b of the disk I53 is disposed concentrically with respect to the shaft I61 and closely adjacent the periphery of the disk I54. Therefore, as the disk I54 starts to move in a clockwise direction from the full line. position thereof shown in Fig. 14, the disk I53 necessarily remains stationary.

Eventually, as'the disk I54 moves in the direction last described, the inclined surface I69a of the actuating lug I69 comes into engagement with the curved surface I6Ia of the lever I6I and moves said lever I6I slightly, as a distance of .010 of an inch more or less, in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 14, with resultant compression of the spring I63 and absorption of shock. After said lever I6I has moved approximately the distance just described, the gear tooth I54b of the disk I54 comes into engagement with the gear tooth I53c of the disk I53. Thereupon, the teeth of the gear segment I54a positively engage the teeth of the gear segment 153a to move the disk I53 in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 14.

At each end of the gear segment I54a, the material of the disk I54 is cut away to form the clearance passages I54c and I54d, the length of these passages being approximately one-half the length of the curved sector. I531) of the disk 153. Therefore, with the disk I54 positioned as shown by the broken lines of Fig. 14when movement of the disk l53 in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 14, is just being initiatedthere is clearance space in the disk I54 for the material defining the rear surface of the sector I 532) of the disk I54.

Movement of the disk I53 in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 14. under the control of the disk I54, continues until the two gear segments I53a, 154a are disengaged. At this time, a limit switch mechanism shown generally at I5Ic, Fig. 8, is operated to open the circuit of the motor M2 and, also at this time, the disk l53 becomes stationary by reason of the fact that the curved sector 153d thereof assumes a position wherein it closely adjacent the periphery of the disk I54. Further, when the disk I53 becomes stationary as just described, the backboard -B is in its retracted position, removed from the printing plate. Immediately after the circuit of the motor M2 is opened as just described, the disk I54- coasts ap proximately to the position shown by the broken lines in Fig. 15.

When the backboard B is to be moved toward the front of the machine, an operation is performed which is the reverse of that described above. That is, the motor M2 is energized in the manner hereinafter described to cause the disk 154 and its actuating lug 169 to move in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 15, from the broken line representation of the parts.

As the two disks I53 and I54 are positioned in Fig. 15, the curved sector I53d of the disk I53 is positioned as shown and as described above. Therefore, as the disk I54 starts to move in a counter-clockwise direction from the broken line position thereof shown in Fig. 15, the disk E53 necessarily remains stationary.

As the disk 15% continues to move in a counterclockwise direction as last noted, the inclined surface I592) of the actuating lug 3559 comes into engagement with the curved surface 152a of the lever 32 and moves said lever M2 to slight ex tent in a clockwise direction, Fig. 15, with resultant compression of the spring I55 and absorption of shock. After said lever N52 has been moved slightly as just stated, the gear tooth i5fle of the disk i5 5 comes into engagement with the gear tooth I53e of the disk I53. Thereupon, the teeth of the gear segment lii la positively engage the teeth of the gear segment l53a to move the disk I53 in a clockwise direction, Fig. 15. During initial movement of said disk 653, the clearance space i540 serves to prevent binding between the rear surface of the sector I53d and the adjacent face of the disk I54.

Movement of the disk I53 in a clockwise direction, Fig. 15, under the control of the disk I54, continues until the two gear segments I53a, I54a are disengaged. At this time, the aforesaid limit switch mechanism I5Ic is again operated to open the circuit of the motor M2 and, also at this time, the disk I53 becomes stationary due to the fact that the curved section I531) thereof has again assumed a position wherein it is concentric with respect to the shaft I61 and closely adjacent the periphery of the disk I54'. When the disk I53 becomes stationary as just stated, the backboard B is in its advanced position toward the printing plate. Immediately after the circuit of the motor M2 is opened as last described,

the disk I54 coasts to the approximate position shown by the full lines in Fig. 14.

Referring to Figs. 3, 3a, 5, 5a and 6, each of the vertical sides'of the supporting frame F terminates in an inner section I1I of reduced thickness, Fig. 5, and, further, each horizontal side of said supporting frame F terminates in an inner section I12 likewise of reduced thickness, Fig. 3, these four sections defining the aforesaid rectangular opening of the supporting frame F. The frame sections 51 I, I12, on the side thereof toward the rear of the machine, have secured thereto by suitable adhesive a pair of endless strips 113, I14, the strip I14 being a sealing strip and these strips conforming in configuration with the opening defined by the supporting frame F and formed from suitable soft rubber, the rubber strip I13 being at the inner edges of said frame sections and the rubber strip I14 being spaced from the edges of said frame sections.

As shown in Fig. 3, the thickness at the extreme inner edges of each horizontal frame section I12 is reduced still further as at l12a so as to form channels facing toward the front of the machine for the respective horizontal sections of an endless sealing strip N5 of soft rubber, the respective vertical sections of which are disposed adjacent the inner edges of the vertical frame sections I1I on the side thereof facing the front of the machine, all of said rubber sections being adhesively secured in position and the configuration of said sealing strip I15 conforming with that of the opening defined by the supporting frame F.

As illustrated in Figs. 3, 5 and 17, the supporting frame F, on the surface thereof toward the rear of the machine, has adhesively secured thereto a blanket I11 formed from fabric embedded in rubber, this blanket I11 being apertured as at I11a and the surface defining said opening being disposed closely adjacent the endless sealing strips i161, Figs. 3 and 5. As clearly appears from Fig. 5, the outer vertical sides of the blanket i111 extend outwardly beyond the supporting frame F, as at i112), and engage, in

freely slidable manner, the flanged sections i18a of the respective rubber strips I18 which are adhesively secured in fixed position to metal strip members I119, respectively, the latter being fixed to the rear surfaces of the respective vertical track members 1.

In accordance with the invention, the supporting frame F is adapted to directly support a printing plate holder. Alternately, said supporting frame F supports an adapter frame and the latter, in turn, supports the printing plate holder. To this end, the side of the supporting frame F toward the front of the machine has the upper angle iron I secured thereo in horizontal position, this angle iron I80 supporting a plurality of spaced clamping screws I8I, Fig. 1. The supporting frame F also has the lower bar I82 horizontally secured thereto, this bar having a plurality of spaced lugs I83 upstanding therefrom and each lug having a clamping screw I84 threaded therethrough, Fig. 3.

As indicated in Fig. 5, each vertical frame section I1I, on the face thereof toward the front of the machine and midway of the ends thereof, has a fixed dowel pin I85 projecting laterally therefrom. Furthermore, each vertical side of the supporting frame F, immediately al'jacent the associated dowel pin I85, carries a fixed support I86 which extends toward the front of the ma.- 

